4 Bad Habits You Should Break for Better Eye Health

4 Bad Habits You Should Break for Better Eye Health

One of the most valuable gifts we have is the gift of vision. It’s easy to forget about our eye health in an age of diets, skincare, and workout programs. But our eyes are just as precious to our health as any other aspect.

While the effects of damaging habits may not be felt right away, there are some things you might be doing that could hurt your vision down the road. Here are 4 harmful vision habits and what you can do to fix them.

You’re Not Preparing for Bedtime

Your night time routine is just as important as your daytime routine. As you wind down from the day, put on your night clothes, brush your teeth, and put your hair up…it’s just as important to prep your eyes for sleep. Many women, for instance, confess to sleeping in their makeup. Whether it’s just tiredness or lack of planning, leaving your makeup on can cause significant problems to your eyes – including infection. Removing makeup is not only better for your eyes, it’s also better for your skin.

Your nightly routine extends to what’s ON your eyes just as much as what’s around them. Not only should you remove contacts from your eyes, you should also be storing them properly. Leaving contact lenses in overnight or storing them improperly leaves you open to eye infections and long-term vision damage. Handling instructions depend upon the type of contacts you wear, but you should always follow manufacturer’s or your eye doctor’s instructions for cleaning and storing your contacts.

You’re Not Eating Vision-Healthy Foods

Did you know that bananas are good for your vision? Eating a banana every day can help alleviate vitamin A deficiency, and promote better eye health. We’ve all heard about rabbits having great vision because of a diet high in carrots, but here are a few more vision-healthy foods you should be eating:

– Leafy Greens

– Grapes

– Eggs

– Nuts

– Fish

– Berries

While these foods will add to your eye health, your weight and blood pressure also have much to do with your vision. Maintaining a healthy body weight and keeping up with your general health will also help your vision.

You’re Not Taking Screen Breaks

Study after study has shown the negative effects of blue light on your eyes. And while we’re not advocating that you ditch your digital lifestyle completely, it’s important that you give your eyes a rest from digital displays at regular intervals. Try the 20-20-20 rule – for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes, stare at an object that’s 20 feet away.

This will help prevent eye strain, headaches, and dry eyes. If your vision gets blurry, or if you’re having trouble focusing on your screen, it’s definitely time to take a break. If these problems don’t get better after you rest your eyes, or if they worsen, call us right away at 239.353.8794.

You’re Not Wearing Sunglasses

Did you know your eyes can get sunburned in the same way as your skin? If you’ve spent much time in the Florida sun, you know just how powerful UV rays can be. In addition to eyelid and skin cancer, UV radiation can also lead to cataracts and macular degeneration. Sunglasses are a must – especially if you’re spending long periods of time outdoors.

If you have questions about your eye health, or if you’d like to schedule your own premium eye exam, call us today at 239.353.8794.